Thomas Elkins: inventor, abolitionist and medical professional

Thomas Elkins (1818-1900) was a genius inventor. On Nov. 4, 1879, he patented a refrigeration technique, a first in the 19^th century, that helped prevent the decay of food and dead bodies.

His other patented inventions: a table that could be used for dining, ironing and as a quilting frame (U.S. Patent number 100020); a better “chamber-commode” (U.S. Patent number 122,518). It combined multiple pieces of furniture into one item and featured a bureau, mirror, bookshelf, washstand, table, easy chair and earth closet or chamber stool.

He also played a significant role in the Underground Railroad in Albany, New York, during the 1840s and ‘50s. Elkins helped transport slaves to Canada. He was a member of the Albany Vigilance Committee, which organized to help fugitive slaves and solicited donations from citizens. He worked with Stephen Myers, a former slave who, along with his wife, operated one of the "best-run" Underground Railroad stations in New York.

During the Civil War, Elkins was a medical examiner for the 54th and 55th Massachusetts regiments, joining a group of Black volunteers led by Governor John A. Andrew. His commitment to social justice extended beyond the war.

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